New RL club in Tredegar to have Euro Cup trophy at first game plus double header in Llanelli

By Ian Golden,

 

On the same day that Wales are kicking off their Euro 2016 campaign, a brand new Rugby League club in Tredegar will have Rugby League’s European Championship trophy on display at their first ever home game.

 

Blaenau Gwent Sharks, a brand new Rugby League side playing out of Tredegar RFC, kick off at home for the first time this Saturday when they host Aber Valley Wolves in the Welsh Conference (kick-off 3pm).

 

The Rugby League European Championship was won by Wales last year, and the new Sharks club have the privilege of having it on display at Saturday’s game, and afterwards at The Cambrian pub in Tredegar during the Wales v Slovakia game.

 

The Blaenau Gwent Sharks side is the brainchild of former Cardiff City Rugby League player Andrew Prouse who lives in Rhymney and works in Tredegar and wanted to get Rugby League going in the Blaenau Gwent valley.

 

He and colleague Jeremy McCarthy run the club and in addition to the senior side, are already looking to the future and have started up and under 15s outfit.

 

“The reason why we started is to get the sport of Rugby League a bit more well-known up in Tredegar and the surrounding areas,” said Prouse. “We know it’s going to be a tough first season, history has always told us that. It’s hard going and stressful but now we’re attracting players and are building the squad.”

 

Many of the players in the club have never played Rugby League before. The majority are union players from the Brynmawr, Beaufort and Tredegar rugby union clubs, wanting to give a new sport a go in the summer, knowing that a development path is there for them to progress if they do well.

 

“Take players like Chris Roets at South Wales Scorpions for example,” said Prouse. “He started off just playing a bit of league when the union season had finished and now he’s Wales’ second highest try scorer of all time. There is a pathway for players to progress – to Scorpions and then Wales if they’re good enough.

 

“We always knew it was going to hard for the first season but once we have a large squad together and reliable players, it should make my life a lot easier.

 

“Aber Valley for our first home game is going to be tough. They finished second last year and did well to beat Cardiff in the semis. We’ll give them a warm welcome on Saturday and definitely do our best.

 

“We’re delighted to have the European Cup on display during the game and we’d like to thank Wales Rugby League for allowing us access to such a prestigious trophy.”

 

The next training session is on Wednesday at Tredegar RFC at 6.30pm and is open to new players. Potential players need not have played Rugby League before as full training will be given.

 

For more details, call head coach Jeremy McCarthy on 07889 416497 or emailjmccarthy@ebbwfawr.onmicrosoft.com.

 

Players and fans will be able to have their photo taken with the trophy at any time during the day.

 

 

 

This Saturday, 11th June sees West Wales Raiders RLFC hold a double header of matches at their Parc Stebonheath ground.

 

First, at 12pm in the Welsh Conference, West Wales Raiders’ reserve side will take on last year’s champions Bridgend Blue Bulls.

 

This is followed by a repeat of what was arguably the most aggressive game of last season as the Raiders first team welcome Torfaen Tigers back to Parc Stebonheath (kick-off 3pm).

 

The Wales v Slovakia Euro 2016 opening match will almost certainly be on the big screen in the Llanelli Town AFC clubhouse next door to the ground straight afterwards (kick-off 5pm).

 

Raiders’ director Andrew Thorne said: “Saturday is sure to be a great day showcasing the Rugby League talent that the community has to offer, and what a place to host it! Stebonheath is fast becoming a known location for Rugby League in Wales, especially after being chosen to host the forthcoming World Cup qualifier, and I’m sure all the players will give it their all at this fantastic venue.”

 

Tickets are on sale now for the first match in Wales’ 2017 World Cup qualifying campaign, Wales v Serbia; 6pm kick off at Parc Stebonheath, Llanelli, Saturday 15th October. Tickets are priced from the very affordable £10 for adults, £8 concessions and £5 for child with seating starting at £12 for adults. Group discounts and family tickets are also available.

Click here to buy.

 

 

 

It’s a big top of the table clash at Old Blues Rugby Club in East London on Saturday when second placed London Chargers take on top of the table Valley Cougars.

 

A win for the Cougars will take them five points ahead of their nearest rivals but a London victory will open up the race for first place once again.

 

Cougars’ coach Dafydd Hellard said: “This is a very big game for us. Our ambition is to finish top of the table again and these are the games that we need to win. Everyone is up for the big trip to London and we can’t wait for Saturday.”

 

Here are this weekend’s fixtures and previews…

 

SATURDAY

RFL Conference League South:

London Chargers v Valley Cougars @ Old Blues RFC (14:30 ko – Saturday)

West Wales Raiders RL  v Torfaen Tigers @ Stebonheath (14:30 ko – Saturday)

 

Welsh Conference South:

Blaenau Gwent Sharks v Aber Valley Wolves @ Tredegar (14:30 ko – Saturday)

West Wales Raiders Reserves v Bridgend Blue Bulls @ Stebonheath (12:00 ko – Saturday)

 

SUNDAY

Under 13s:

DC Wildcats RL v Torfaen Tigers @ Dowlais / Cefn RFC

Cardiff City RL v Bridgend Blue Bulls @ Rumney RFC

 

Under 15s:

Aber Valley Wolves v South Wales Rabbitohs @ Senghenydd RFC (9^th June)

Torfaen Tigers v West Wales Raiders @ Cwmbran RFC

Rhondda Outlaws v Bridgend Blue Bulls @ Ystrad Rhondda RFC

South Wales Rabbitohs v Valley Cougars @ Llanharan RFC

 

Under 17s:

Cardiff City RL v Swansea Valley Rhinos @ Rumney RFC

Torfaen Tigers v Rhondda Outlaws @ Cwmbran RFC

Bridgend Blue Bulls v West Wales Raiders @ Pyle RFC